Global Climate News

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has announced €165 million in funding opportunities for 2025, advancing circular bio-based industries in Europe across 13 topics. The funding comes from Horizon Europe and will be complemented by private investments. The call for proposals will open on April 4, 2025, and close on September 17, 2025.

Finland-based Kåska Drinks, a low-alcohol spirits company, focuses on eco-friendly practices such as using less glass in bottles, biodegradable packaging, and concentrated spirits to reduce transportation needs. They also support social causes, allocating 15% of their initial product's sales margin to organizations combating loneliness and social isolation. The company plans to expand B2B and event sales and build a production facility and experience center.

Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad updated the sector and sub-sector classification for three companies: ENRA GROUP BERHAD (energy), OASIS HARVEST CORPORATION BERHAD (consumer products & services), and VERSATILE CREATIVE BERHAD (consumer products & services). The changes, effective January 13, 2025, reflect changes in the companies’ business activities and their core business contributions to financial results.

Saudi Arabia increased diesel prices by 44.3% to 1.66 riyals ($0.44) per liter, effective January 1, 2025. This is the second price increase by Saudi Aramco in less than two years.

\"Bulgarian startup LAM’ON, supported by Eleven Ventures, has developed bio-based and compostable thermal laminating films. These films aim to replace traditional laminating films, reducing plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions. The global biodegradable plastics market is valued at USD 7.9 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 20.9 billion by 2028.\"

The European Bioplastics Conference (EBC24) concluded successfully, with around 350 attendees. Positive changes in the European bioplastics industry were highlighted, including new regulations mandating compostable packaging and boosting biodegradable agricultural applications. The conference showcased advancements in bioplastics, assessed their environmental impacts, and provided an overview of the global industry landscape.

Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, in collaboration with Baumer hhs GmbH, PTS – Institute for Fibers & Paper gGmbH, and Fraunhofer Institute for Coating and Surface Technology IST, developed bio-based adhesives for industrial applications. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) through the Agency for Renewable Resources e.V. (FNR), these adhesives replace synthetic polymers in folding box production, offering a more sustainable packaging solution. The project successfully tested the bio-based adhesives on high-speed machines, demonstrating high initial adhesion and stability.

German researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP, in collaboration with industrial and academic partners, have developed bio-based adhesives for the industrial production of folding cartons. These adhesives, made from renewable resources like modified starch, aim to replace synthetic polymer-based adhesives, thus contributing to more sustainable packaging. Successful high-speed machine tests have demonstrated the effectiveness of these bio-based alternatives.

Taiwan has implemented new regulations effective January 1, 2025, including a 4.08% minimum wage increase to NT$28,590 (US$870.33), expanded free cancer screenings, and stricter environmental rules for hotels, prohibiting free single-use toiletries under 180ml. The new rules also aim to curb noise pollution from modified motorcycles.

The UK government, through the Department for Business and Trade, Environment Agency, and Office for Product Safety and Standards, has updated its producer responsibility regulations covering packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, batteries, and end-of-life vehicles. These regulations aim to minimize waste, promote reuse and recycling, and improve the environmental impact of product lifecycles. The updates include new guidance on extended producer responsibility for packaging and updated guidance for WEEE, batteries, and ELVs.

The UK government has updated its guidance on packaging waste accreditation for reprocessors and exporters. The updated guidance details application processes, fees (£505 for small operators, £2,616 for large operators), and compliance requirements, including record-keeping and reporting. Changes to targets for 2021 and 2022 compliance years are also noted, with a focus on recycling obligations.

The UK government has implemented extended producer responsibility for packaging, requiring packaging producers to join a Producer Compliance Scheme (PCS). The process involves applying for PCS approval from the relevant environmental regulator (Environment Agency for England, Natural Resources Wales for Wales, etc.), meeting specific conditions for approval and registration, and paying application fees (£8,174 for approval and £13,804 for registration). Non-compliance results in penalties, including fines and potential prosecution.

The UK Environment Agency published updated packaging data service levels for 2024 and 2025. The agency added 2025 data and removed 2023 data on December 31, 2024, and added 2024 data on December 22, 2023. These updates detail regulatory input and output dates for data submissions and publications.

The UK Environment Agency published its Packaging producer responsibility monitoring plan for 2025. The plan includes the agency's monitoring policy and the minimum number of persons it proposes to monitor. The 2024 monitoring plan explains the approach for that year.

India's NIFTEM-K institute has advanced sustainable food processing through technological innovations like SARTHI Technology, hybrid drying, and biodegradable films. They organized the National Conference on Efficient Food Processing for Environmental & Climate-Change Trends (EFFECT) to address climate change in agro-food systems and signed MoUs with 11 companies and five academic institutions to strengthen partnerships. The institute also launched its 19th Village Adoption Program impacting 21 villages.

The UN is focusing on several climate-related issues in 2025, including keeping global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius, protecting nature, securing climate finance, strengthening climate law, and tackling plastic pollution. At COP29, an agreement was reached to triple climate finance for developing countries to $300 billion annually by 2035, although this is less than the $1.3 trillion needed. The International Court of Justice will issue an advisory opinion on States’ legal obligations regarding climate change, which is expected to guide future international climate law.

The UK government has announced a £69 billion funding package for local councils, including over £1 billion through the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging scheme (pEPR) to manage household packaging waste and support investment in waste and recycling infrastructure. The funding will help councils deliver essential services and support waste management initiatives.

Bulgarian startup LAM’ON, founded by Gergana Stancheva, Angela Ivanova, and Philip Ublekov, has developed bio-based and compostable thermal laminating films. The global biodegradable plastics market is valued at USD 7.9 billion in 2023 and expected to reach USD 20.9 billion by 2028. LAM’ON's products reduce energy use by half compared to traditional methods and are designed for various sectors, including print, cosmetics, construction, and fashion.

The UK government has provided guidance on reducing Christmas-related waste and environmental impact. The article highlights significant waste issues including 3 million tonnes of additional Christmas waste, 175 tonnes of aluminum packaging from mince pies, and 227,000 miles of wrapping paper used annually. The guidance includes recommendations for sustainable tree disposal, eco-friendly decorations, reducing gift waste, and proper food waste management.

Iraq-based Suli Innovation House (SiH) in Sulaymaniyah, supported by GIZ, has created a tech innovation center that has trained 600 participants (47% women) in digital skills. One success story is SuliCycle, a startup founded by Prusha Awat Mohamad, which has developed reverse vending machines for plastic bottle recycling. The Prime Minister of Kurdistan has ordered six machines, and the program has expanded to restaurants and shops.